Summary & Overview
HCPCS K0836: Power Wheelchair Group 2, Captain's Chair, 300 lb Capacity
HCPCS Level II code K0836 identifies a Group 2 standard power wheelchair with a single power option and a captain's chair, rated for patients up to 300 pounds. This durable medical equipment (DME) classification matters nationally because power mobility devices are central to functional independence for patients with mobility impairments, and they drive coverage, prior authorization, and equipment adjudication across payers. The code signals clinical need for a powered seating and propulsion solution with a standard frame and typical community and home use.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context and service setting, common payer considerations, and the types of benchmarks and policy updates typically relevant to DME wheelchair codes. The publication outlines what providers and suppliers generally evaluate for coverage decisions, how payers commonly categorize power mobility devices, and where to look for guidance on documentation and durable medical equipment benefit rules. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code K0836 describes a power wheelchair, group 2 standard, single power option, captain's chair, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds. This device is a motorized mobility aid intended to provide seated transportation and mobility support for patients who require a powered wheelchair with a standard frame and single power option.
Service Type: Durable Medical Equipment (power mobility device)
Typical Site of Service: Home use and community mobility settings
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 72-year-old male with advanced osteoarthritis and progressive mobility limitation who requires a group 2 power wheelchair with a single power option and captain's chair seating for safe home and community ambulation. The patient weighs 280 pounds, uses bilateral forearm support, and demonstrates inadequate endurance and gait instability that prevent safe use of a manual wheelchair. A wheelchair assessment by a durable medical equipment (DME) provider and a referring physician (e.g., physiatrist or orthopedist) documents functional deficits, seating needs, and environment barriers (narrow home doorways, ramp access). The clinical workflow includes: referral from the treating physician with supporting clinical notes and objective measurements (height, weight, transfers, upper extremity strength, endurance), an in-person mobility evaluation by a qualified clinician or ATP (assistive technology professional), trial of power and seating components, ordering and prior authorization submission to the payer, delivery and patient training, and a follow-up visit to verify fit and function.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
KA | Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. |
CO |